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<p>On Friday evening, an asteroid will pass close to Earth. Named Asteroid 2018 CB, the hunk of space rock will pass by at a distance of 39,000 miles — five times closer than the moon, <a href="http://www.astronomy.com/news/2018/02/asteroid-to-pass-by-earth-on-friday" target="_blank">according to Astronomy.com</a>.</p><p>The asteroid is between 550 and 130 feet in length, making it significantly larger than most of the asteroids that zip by our planet.</p><p>“Asteroids this size do not often approach this close to our planet — maybe only once or twice a year,” <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7055&amp;utm_source=iContact&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=NASAJPL&amp;utm_content=daily20180206-2" target="_blank">said Paul Chodas</a>, the manager of the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.</p><p>Given its size and proximity to Earth, it will in fact be possible to <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/space-astronomy/asteroid-passing-by-earth" target="_blank">watch the asteroid</a> as it flies past Earth. Here’s how to see this celestial event.</p><h2>What time is the asteroid passing Earth today?</h2><p>The asteroid passing near Earth today will zip by around 5:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. <a href="http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/asteroid-2018-cb-graze-earth-friday-watch-online/" target="_blank">According to <em>Sky &amp; Telescope</em></a>, Asteroid 2018 CB is close enough to spot with an eight-inch telescope, though the timing isn’t great. The sun sets just before 5:30 p.m. on Friday, meaning it will still be light out when the asteroid zooms by. As it crosses the Americas, it will only travel farther into the sunlight.</p><p>Stargazers based in Europe or Africa will have a better chance of viewing the asteroid in a telescope as it blazes across the night sky.</p><h2>How to watch the asteroid live</h2><p>If you’re not in a great spot to observe the asteroid — or you can’t locate your handy eight-inch telescope — you can watch the asteroid pass Earth today on a live stream.</p><p>Several live streams will let you follow the asteroid as if you were watching through a <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/space-astronomy/unistellar-new-telescope" target="_blank">powerful telescope</a>, including the <a href="https://www.virtualtelescope.eu/webtv/" target="_blank">Virtual Telescope Project</a>. The live stream will begin at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.</p><h2>What is an asteroid?</h2><p>Both asteroids and meteoroids are essentially rocky masses orbiting around the sun —meteoroids are just significantly smaller.</p><p>Asteroid 2018 CB, though quite close, is not classified as a PHA (a “potentially hazardous asteroid”). For asteroids to be considered a threat, they must be at least 328 feet in diameter, and must approach within 4.6 million miles, according to <em>Sky &amp; Telescope</em>.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/festivals/how-to-celebrate-mardi-gras" target="_blank">Mardi Gras 2018</a> is around the corner. While this year’s holiday has technically been ongoing since Jan 6., it’s Fat Tuesday — the last day to feast before Lent — that is mainly associated with the festivities.</p><p>This year, Fat Tuesday is Feb. 13, and you're probably wondering where you can celebrate in the Mardi Gras colors: purple, green and gold. While the city of <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/new-orleans-points-of-interest" target="_blank">New Orleans</a> – particularly the French Quarter – has been the Mardi Gras capital for centuries, the Big Easy is not the only city in America that puts on parades and events for the revelrous holiday.</p><p>It’s widely believed that Mardi Gras <a href="http://time.com/4682075/new-orleans-mardi-gras-history/">first began in Mobile, Alabama</a> just after the turn of the 18th century. With that in mind, there a number of cities across the country where the holiday, also referred to as Carnival, has spread. Here are some of the best Mardi Gras celebrations around the U.S., other than New Orleans.</p><h2>Mobile, Alabama</h2><img alt="Mardi Gras in Mobile "src="http://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1518186745/mobile-alabama-mardi-gras.jpg?itok=hiSFmHzC"><p>Mobile did not let its Mardi Gras traditions die down over time — it is still has one of the biggest Carnival celebrations in the country.</p><p>According to the <a href="http://www.al.com/bhammag/index.ssf/2018/02/have_you_been_to_the_countrys.html">Mobile <em>Press-Register</em></a>, at least 40 Mardi Gras parades are scheduled from Jan. 26 to Fat Tuesday on Feb. 13, with an additional 80-plus parties and balls hosted by the city’s "krewes" — secret-ish organizations that put on galas and parades during Mardi Gras season.</p><p>Not only does the entire city turn out, but Mobile draws thousands of visitors from around the world who are perhaps seeking the “original Mardi Gras celebration,” as the local newspaper describes it.</p><h2>St. Louis, Missouri</h2><p> </p><p>St. Louis is roughly 700 miles away from New Orleans, but the Midwest city shares a common connection with NoLa: a French founding.</p><p>In the mid 1700s, fur traders Pierre Laclède and Auguste Chouteau settled in the city. French customs like Mardi Gras have flourished ever since, particularly in the Soulard district, home to the Bud Light Grand Parade. <a href="http://stlmardigras.org/events/bud-light-grand-parade">St. Louisans claim</a> it’s the largest Mardi Gras parade outside of New Orleans, with nearly 100 floats and more than 10 million strands of beads thrown along this year’s route.</p><h2>Galveston, Texas</h2><p> </p><p>The island city of Galveston may be detached from the Texas mainland, but it’s said to play host to the largest Mardi Gras celebration in the Lone Star State and the third largest in all of the U.S.</p><p>This year, Galveston is celebrating its 107th annual Mardi Gras with 22 parades, 20 balcony parties (not unlike New Orleans’ French Quarter balconies) and five masked balls. All in all, approximately 300,000 people are expected to show up, <a href="http://www.mardigrasgalveston.com/about-mardi-gras/">according to Galveston’s Mardi Gras website.</a></p><h2>Biloxi, Mississippi</h2><img alt="Mardi Gras in Biloxi "src="http://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1518186745/biloxi-mardi-gras.jpg?itok=c-rmsmht"><p>Just about an hour and a half driving towards the east of the Gulf Coast, you’ll find one of the more lively Mardi Gras celebrations in the country.</p><p>Fat Tuesday festivities can be found all along Interstate-10, but Biloxi is the center, as it's home to the Gulf Coast Carnival Association and King d’Iberville and Queen Ixolib, local residents selected every year to reign over Biloxi’s parades as royalty. The city even has a <a href="https://www.gulfcoast.org/listings/mardi-gras-museum/5030/" target="_blank">Mardi Gras Museum</a> located inside an historic hotel that displays traditional costumes, memorabilia and photos of the holiday’s 100-year history in the region.</p>

<p><em>T+L launched Operation Vacation to inspire workers to use their days off and get away, offering exclusive travel discounts as incentive. For the latest deals on hotels, airfare, cruises, and trip packages, visit <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/operation-vacation" target="_blank"><strong>travelandleisure.com/operation-vacation</strong></a></em></p><p>Costa Rica: 36 percent off the <a href="http://redfrogbeach.com/" target="_blank">Red Frog Beach Island Resort</a>, a collection of villas set on a nature preserve off the Caribbean coast inhabited with sloths, monkeys, and frogs.</p><p>The Travel + Leisure package includes:</p><p>*A minimum of three nights in a two-bedroom villa with a private pool</p><p>*Round-trip boat transfers from the airport to the resort</p><p>*Four canopy zip line tour passes</p><p>*An underground island cave tour</p><p>*Four full-body, 60-minute massages</p><p>Original Price: From $2,019 (or $673 per night) for four people</p><p><strong>T + L Price: </strong>From $1,293 (or $431 per night) for four people; book by April 30 for travel through December 21, 2018.</p><p>Booking details: Call 888-655-9573 or email <a href="mailto:reservations@redfrogbeach.com">reservations@redfrogbeach.com</a>. Use code RFB2018.</p><p>Availability: Blackout dates may apply.</p><img alt="Red Frog Beach Island Resort "src="http://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1518123088/Panama-red-frog-beach-island-OVREDFROG0218.jpg?itok=_zJuzPXz">

<p>National Pizza Day is on Friday, Feb. 9, and to celebrate, a variety of eateries are offering freebies and discounts.</p><img alt=" "src=""><p>Pizza places all over the country are rolling out discounts for 2018 National Pizza Day — and we rounded up the best deals you'll find from Pizza Hut, Little Caesar's and even Baskin-Robbins.</p><h2><strong>Baskin-Robbins:</strong></h2><p><a href="https://news.baskinrobbins.com/news/baskin-robbins-sweetens-up-national-pizza-day-with-free-polar-pizzaR-ice-cream-treat-sampling-on-friday-february-9th" target="_blank">Free samples</a> of the new Sweetheart Polar Pizza Ice Cream will be available from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at participating locations. The treat is made with a heart-shaped, double-fudge brownie crust covered in the brand’s Love Potion #31 ice cream (white chocolate, raspberry, chocolate chips raspberry-filled chocolate hearts) and marshmallow topping.</p><h2><strong>Blaze Pizza:</strong></h2><p>The create-your-own-pizza chain will give you a code to get a free pizza with the purchase of another pizza when you sign up on their <a href="http://assets.fbmta.com/clt/blzpzz/PuttinInWork_2018/thanks.html">website</a> with your email. </p><h2><strong>Bearno’s:</strong></h2><p>Buy any large or super large pizza and get a second pizza of equal or lesser value for half off as part of the chain’s current <a href="https://bearnos.com/specials/" target="_blank">online deals</a> for National Pizza Day.</p><h2><strong>California Pizza Kitchen:</strong></h2><p>You can try the chain’s <a href="https://www.cpk.com" target="_blank">new cauliflower pizza crust</a> for free up through National Pizza Day, after which the crust will cost $2.50 extra.</p><h2><strong>Chuck E. Cheese's:</strong></h2><p>Buy any large pizza and get a large thin-crust pepperoni pizza for free on Friday when using the code 5555.</p><h2><strong>Little Caesars:</strong></h2><p>The <a href="https://littlecaesars.com/our-menu/promotion/emb" target="_blank">chain</a> is currently running a National Pizza Day promotion where you can get extra pepperoni and cheese for $1 when you upgrade to Little Caesars "ExtraMostBestest<b>"</b> at participating stores.</p><h2><strong>Godfather’s Pizza:</strong></h2><p><a href="https://godfathers.com" target="_blank">Get</a> any two large, one-topping pizzas for $22 or a medium one-topping pizza for $3.99 with the purchase of a large specialty pizza.</p><h2><strong>Pilot Flying J:</strong></h2><p><a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pilot-flying-j-celebrates-national-pizza-day-with-free-slices-for-all-guests-300590811.html" target="_blank">Pilot Flying J</a> will be offering free slices of pizza to customers who download the myPilot app. Starting on Thursday, Feb. 8, those who download the app will find an offer for the free slice, which they can redeem at one of the travel centers.</p><h2><strong>Pizza Hut:</strong></h2><p>Pizza Hut currently has a <a href="https://www.pizzahut.com/index.php#/home" target="_blank">variety of deals</a> available, like two medium two-topping pizzas for $5.99 each. <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dont-worry-pizza-hut-fans-you-are-still-big-game-winners-all-hut-rewards-members-score-30-percent-off-for-national-pizza-day-300593226.html" target="_blank">Rewards</a><a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dont-worry-pizza-hut-fans-you-are-still-big-game-winners-all-hut-rewards-members-score-30-percent-off-for-national-pizza-day-300593226.html" target="_blank"> members</a> can also get 30% off all menu-priced pizzas, with the offer delivered directly to a member's account to use on Friday, Feb. 9. </p><h2><b>Pizza Patrón:</b></h2><p>Get any large specialty pizza for $5.99 at participating locations on National Pizza Day.</p><h2><strong>Pizza Ponte:</strong></h2><p>This <a href="https://thedisneyblog.com/2018/02/06/get-free-pizza-pizza-ponte-disney-springs-national-pizza-day/" target="_blank">pizza spot at Disney Springs</a> is celebrating the occasion with a free Sicilian square slice, a four-cheese pizza, or a pepperoni pizza with every cold drink purchase from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.</p><h2><strong>Round Table Pizza:</strong></h2><p>You'll get a free <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/free-original-personal-pizza-at-round-table-pizza-on-national-pizza-pie-day-february-9-2018-with-pepsi-purchase-300589226.html" target="_blank">personal cheese or pepperoni pizza</a> when you buy any Pepsi fountain drink at more than 440 locations (dine-in only) from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.</p>

<p>Some U.S. Olympic skiers and their coaches think <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/airlines-airports/common-jet-lag-myths" target="_blank">jet lag</a> could act as a cure for performance anxiety.</p><p>Instead of traveling early to Pyeongchang to acclimate to the time change, ski-jumpers are actively “chasing” jet lag, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-olympians-who-want-to-be-jet-lagged-1518022565" target="_blank"><em>The Wall Street Journal</em> reported</a>.</p><p><strong>Related:</strong> <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/queen-elizabeth-jet-lag-trick" target="_blank">How the Queen Of England Deals With Jet Lag</a></p><p>They were in Germany for the World Cup on Sunday. They arrived in Seoul on Tuesday, took the train to Pyeongchang on Wednesday, and competed in qualifiers on Thursday. On Friday, they participated in the opening ceremony — and Saturday is the first medal event.</p><p>The athletes believe that one of the worst things you can do before a jump is overthink. So, they are actively pursuing a mental state in which things are a bit cloudy — <em>leaning in</em> to jet lag, if you will.</p><p>“You let muscle memory take over,” U.S. Olympic ski jumper Kevin Bickner explained, “and sometimes that’s better than thinking about what you need to do.”</p><p>When <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNH80LL14Vw" target="_blank">leaping hundreds of feet off a tower</a> and onto a snowy slope, sometimes the brain can get in the way.</p><p>Ski jumping is a mentally grueling, physically technical sport that one athlete likened to suicide.</p><p>“The closer you come to committing suicide without committing suicide, the better you’re going to be,” Jeff Hastings, a ski jumper who competed in the 1984 Olympics, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-olympians-who-want-to-be-jet-lagged-1518022565" target="_blank">told the <em>WSJ</em></a>.</p><p>While the strategy may not be effective for those who need mental acuity and clarity while traveling, embracing jet lag could sharpen skills and increase performance for those who compete on muscle memory.</p>

<p>It’s no wonder Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, loves to <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/style/fashion/kate-middleton-travel-outfits" target="_blank">travel so much</a>. It turns out it’s in her blood.</p><p>According to <em><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-history-of-kate-middletons-parents-carole-and-michael-middleton" target="_blank">The Daily Beast</a></em>, Middleton likely got her penchant for traveling from her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, who met when he was working as a flight dispatcher and she as a flight attendant with <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/airlines-airports/british-airways-zoned-group-boarding" target="_blank">British Airways</a> in the mid-1970s. The pair then dated, and traveled, for a number of years before marrying on June 21,1980 at the Church of St James in Buckinghamshire.</p><p>Just two years later, in 1982, Catherine was born. Two years after that, the Middletons welcomed Kate’s younger sister, <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/food-drink/pippa-middleton-breakfast" target="_blank">Pippa</a>, into the family.</p><p>In May of 1984, the Middleton family moved to Amman, Jordan for Michael’s job. There, the <em><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-wedding/8366374/Kate-Middleton-family-photos-reveal-her-time-in-Jordan.html" target="_blank">Telegraph</a></em> explained, Carol took her extended maternity leave from British Airways to spend time with her two girls.</p><p>In September of 1986 the family returned to England. Just a few months later, in 1987, the family welcomed their youngest child, James, into the brood.</p><p>As <em><a href="http://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/a9644632/kate-middleton-family/" target="_blank">Town&amp;Country</a></em> explained, in 1987 Carole left the travel industry behind and founded her company <a href="https://www.partypieces.co.uk/" target="_blank">Party Pieces</a>, which started as a small mail order party supply and decoration company. Now that company is estimated to be <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1378288/Kate-Middletons-family-Just-rich-Middletons.html" target="_blank">worth more than $50 million</a>.</p><p>“Party Pieces was born the same year as my son James, 1987. After spending 3 years working for British Airways in Jordan, we decided it was time to return to the UK for Catherine's schooling,” Carole wrote on the company’s site. “In January 1987, when I was 6 months pregnant, I decided to take myself off to the Spring Fair in Birmingham where I found a good selection of suppliers. From there the idea evolved.”</p><p>And Party Pieces truly became a family business for all of the Middletons. “Over the years all my children have played a huge part in it from modelling for the catalogue to developing new categories for the brand,” Carole added. “James established our personalised cakes, Catherine started the 1st birthday side of the business, and Pippa developed the Party Pieces blog.”</p><p>Of course now Catherine is a bit busy, you know, being a princess, but she undoubtedly remains proud of her parents' traveling past and party supplier future.</p>

<p>Botox scandals, hundreds of thousands of spectators, and only one winner: it's not the Miss Universe competition; it's <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/saudi-arabia-us-tour-company" target="_blank">Saudi Arabia's</a> camel beauty contest.</p><p>Nearly 30,000 camels participated in this year's event, as part of a larger festival over the course of 30 days that included camel riding and an obedience competition. </p><p>This year's <a href="http://www.alaibilfestival.com/en/" target="_blank">King Abdulaziz Camel Festival </a>took place Jan. 1 through Feb. 1 near Riyadh. The festival had previously been located in a remote part of the desert, but organizers moved it as an attempt to draw more visitors to <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/culture-design/architecture-design/saudi-arabia-petra-madain-saleh" target="_blank">Saudi Arabia</a> both locally and internationally. An estimated 600,000 spectators attended, <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/middle-east/saudi-arabia-camel-racing-festival-beauty-contest-pageant-king-abdulaziz-botox-scandal-a8196546.html" target="_blank"><em>The Independent </em>reported</a>.</p><p>Judges assess the beauty of the camels based on a set of traits, detailed in the website for the festival. Some attributes that judges look for include delicate ears, big mouths, and even specific qualities in their humps.</p><p>Festival authorities <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/camels-disqualified-pageant-botox-saudi" target="_blank">disqualified 12 camels</a> earlier this year after discovering the camels had been injected with Botox. With the contests across the pageant section totaling $31.8 million prize money, the competition is fierce, according to local news outlet <em>The National</em>.</p><p>“They use Botox for the lips, the nose, the upper lips, the lower lips, and even the jaw,” Ali Al Mazrouei, 31, a regular attendee at the festival, <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/world/gcc/saudi-camel-beauty-festival-12-entrants-disqualified-for-botox-use-1.698068" target="_blank">told <em>The National</em>.</a> “It makes the head more inflated so when the camel comes it’s like, ‘Oh look at how big that head is. It has big lips, a big nose.’”</p><p>One plastic surgeon was even operating on camels to reduce their ear size, according to the same report.</p><p>The festival still took place, minus some 12 delinquent camels, and by all reports the winners succeeded on their natural beauty alone.</p>

<p>Every flight is an opportunity to crack secret aviation codes.</p><p>Astute passengers will notice <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/airlines-airports/triangle-stickers-airplane-cabin" target="_blank">black triangle stickers located over select seats</a> in the cabin. Others may question <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/airlines-airports/why-tray-tables-must-go-up-takeoff-landing" target="_blank">why tray tables and seats need to be in an upright and locked position</a> during takeoff and landing. And there’s <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/airlines-airports/why-do-pilots-say-roger-that" target="_blank">the age-old question of why pilots call each other “Roger.”</a></p><p>Amidst all these arcane codes, lingo, and procedures, passengers may believe the “fasten seat belt sign” is fairly straightforward. When it’s on, you remain in your seat with your seatbelt on. When it’s off, you’re free to move about the cabin. But pilots can also use the sign to communicate with cabin crew without having to make a call or announcement.</p><p>“A double chime and flash of the seat belt sign means that takeoff or landing is imminent, and it is the final sign from the captain for the crew to take their seats,” Laura Hutcheson, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/qanda-a-virgin-atlantic-flight-attendant-explains-the-secrets-of-flying/2011/11/02/gIQA9BhOmM_story.html?utm_term=.e00da0c41487" target="_blank">a Virgin Atlantic flight attendant, told the <i>Washington Post</i></a>.</p><p>Different numbers of flashes and chimes can be code for different signals, according to the airline. They can signal changes in altitude, turbulence, or if the pilot has a non-emergency message for flight crew (even something as mundane as “please bring coffee,” <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/cox/2012/11/05/ask-the-captain-in-flight-chimes-cabin-temperature-feedback/1682735/" target="_blank">according to former U.S. Airways pilot John Cox</a>).</p><p>Three dings generally signal <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travel-truths/what-plane-noises-and-dings-really-mean/" target="_blank">a priority message from the flight deck to cabin crew</a>. This could be something like a severe turbulence warning, letting flight attendants know to put away rolling carts and prepare for bumpy skies.</p>

<p>According to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-017-02722-7" target="_blank">a neuroscience study published in <em>Nature Communications</em></a> last week, close friends are people who have similar neural activity.</p><p>In the study, each participant underwent MRI scans while they watched movies on topics ranging from politics to music to science. From the data, scientists determined that close friends were likely to have very similar reactions to whatever they were watching. Even distant friends of friends had more similar reactions than strangers. And the closer the friends were, the more similar their reactions were.</p><p>The study concluded that “we are exceptionally similar to our friends in how we perceive and respond to the world around us, which has implications for interpersonal influence and attraction.”</p><p>And because of friends’ similarities in “perceiving, thinking about, and reacting to the world,” we're thinking that will also make them the ideal people to join on a vacation.</p><p><strong>Related:</strong> <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/friends-with-same-mother" target="_blank">These Two Men Were Friends for 60 Years Before Finding Out They Have the Same Mother</a></p><p>A close friend may likely be a person who will want to experience the same new destinations as you. And, upon arrival, they may have similar reactions. While this doesn’t mean that a trip with a close friend is guaranteed to go smoothly — after all, friends can still lollygag in the airport, get food poisoning during a meal, and forget their passports — a friend is likely to appreciate the same things you do and interpret them the same way, be that an art museum, a sports match, or a relaxing day on the beach.</p><p>If you’re seeking travel inspiration, send <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/group-travel/vacations-to-take-with-friends" target="_blank"><em>Travel + Leisure</em>’s guide to great trips to take with friends</a> to your entire group chat.</p>

<p>Most Americans, upon first traveling to <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/photography/alaska-adventure-photography" target="_blank">Alaska</a>, are shocked to realize just how big the state is. Yes, it’s part of the United States, English is spoken, and the dollar is used — but Alaska’s wild coastal plains, towering snow-capped mountains, and glacier-rimmed fjords have a way of making you feel worlds away from home.</p><p>In the far north of Alaska, the <a href="https://arcticwild.com/destinations/western-brooks-range/" target="_blank">Brooks mountain range</a> extends 700 miles from the coast, and veers into Canada’s Yukon Territory. South of Fairbanks is Denali, the tallest mountain in North America at a staggering 20,310 feet. Further down along the coast, the mountains get smaller and more rounded, and their lush green forms poke over beautiful tidewater glaciers.</p><p>With so many diverse regions, it can be unnerving to figure out which to tackle in a single trip — and more to the point, when you should go. Before booking flights, consult this definitive guide on the best times to visit Alaska.</p><h2>The Best Months to Visit Alaska </h2><h3>The Best Times to Visit Alaska on a Cruise</h3><p>Cruising remains an important, and hugely popular, method of traveling through Alaska. While ships sail all summer long, there are distinct benefits to getting a head start on cruise season by visiting in May, according to Lisa Syme, the vice president of <a href="https://www.princess.com/" target="_blank">Princess Cruises</a>.</p><p>In addition to being the driest month, May is also ideal for its reduced crowds, lower fares, and better wildlife viewing. Meanwhile, June boasts the longest daylight hours, and July has the warmest temperatures. It's also the best month for <a href="https://www.princess.com/cruise-tips-vacation-ideas/cruise-destinations/alaska-vacations/how-to-prepare-for-your-alaskan-whale-watch-tour.html" target="_blank">seeing humpback whales</a>. (If you happen to end up in Seward, the gray whales <a href="https://majormarine.com/tour/gray-whale-watching-cruise/" target="_blank">tend to show up in spring</a>.)</p><h3>The Best Time To Visit Alaska for Fishing</h3><p>Throughout the year in Alaska, there’s great fishing to be found. After all, fishing here is a <a href="https://www.thecordovatimes.com/2017/08/02/fish-factor-alaskas-seafood-sales-top-3-billion-annually/" target="_blank">multi-billion dollar industry</a>, and seafood remains the state’s top export. For travelers seeking something extra special, try visiting Ketchikan: a remote fishing town near the southern tip of Alaska. Known as the salmon capital of the world, it’s a <a href="https://www.princess.com/cruise-tips-vacation-ideas/cruise-destinations/alaska-vacations/3-memorable-alaskan-cruise-excursions-in-ketchikan-alaska.html" target="_blank">popular cruise excursion stop-off</a>, and not just for the fishing. In the height of summer, the water can get up to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.</p><p>But almost any coastal town in Alaska has at least some kind of fishing community, and with over three million unnamed natural lakes, you can imagine just how plentiful the fishing is in America’s northernmost state. If it’s classic Alaskan King salmon you’re after, show up mid-May through July, when the fisheries for that species peaks. Meanwhile, if you’d like to try your hand at ice fishing, <a href="https://www.thealaskalife.com/blog/ice-fishing-interior-alaska/" target="_blank">head inland to Quartz Lake</a> anytime after October.</p><h3>The Best Time to Visit Alaska's National Parks</h3><p>Warmer temperatures and more daylight in July and August make visiting places like <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/national-parks/exploring-denali-national-park" target="_blank">Denali National Park</a> and <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/national-parks/glacier-bay-national-park" target="_blank">Glacier Bay National Park</a> a dream. But if it’s a quieter, more remote experience you want, try showing up later in the season, when crowds have dwindled and yet enough daylight remains that you can do a <a href="http://www.bullmoosepatrol.com/bmp/2014/10/15/backpacking-denali-national-park" target="_blank">self-guided hike in the backcountry</a>. Travelers should note that Denali Park Road — the park’s only roadway — remains open through early September for <a href="https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/visiting-denali.htm" target="_blank">bus tours</a> dedicated to spotting wildlife (a 15-mile portion of the road is also open for private vehicles).</p><p>Of course, shoulder season in September is also renowned for its gorgeous fall colors. “The mountains are gold, the berry bushes have turned bright red (with berries to pick), and you have the night sky to enjoy,” Jillian Simpson, vice president of Alaska Travel Industry Association, told <em>Trave + Leisure</em>.</p><h3>The Best Time to Visit Alaska for Snow</h3><p>May through September remains the busiest time of year for tourism in Alaska, but many folks are just as content planning a trip in winter. Why? Snow. With recent reports on the <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/climate-change-has-doubled-snowfall-in-alaska/" target="_blank">record-breaking snowfall</a> in Alaska, the months of December, January, February, and March represent a fantastic opportunity to tackle Alaska’s magical snow-blanketed terrain by <a href="http://www.alaska.org/things-to-do/cross-country-skiing" target="_blank">Nordic skiing</a>, <a href="http://www.alaska.org/things-to-do/snowmobiling-tours" target="_blank">snowmobiling</a>, classic Alaskan <a href="http://iditarod.com/" target="_blank">dog mushing</a>.</p><h3>The Best Time to Visit Alaska for the Aurora Borealis</h3><p>Many travelers <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/nature-travel/alaska-when-to-see-northern-lights" target="_blank">come to Alaska to see the Aurora Borealis</a>, more commonly called the Northern Lights. This is best done from the end of August to the middle of April, when a combination of clear night skies and decent Aurora activity mean spotting Auororas is relatively easy. In terms of location, Alaska sits right under the Arctic Ocean, so visibility is high across most of the state. There are, however, <a href="https://alaskaskiesauroratours.com/" target="_blank">dozens of easy-to-book tours</a> offered out of Fairbanks.</p><h2>The Worst Times To Visit Alaska</h2><p>Alaska is different from the lower 48 states in many ways, but one of them is the lack of a comprehensive road system connecting all the different towns and regions. Because of this, <a href="http://www.alaska.org/things-to-do/flightseeing-tours" target="_blank">flightseeing tours</a> remain a popular way to get around the state, while simultaneously enjoying stunning birds-eye views of the mountains. Depending on <a href="http://www.alaska.org/things-to-do/flightseeing-tours" target="_blank">where you want to visit in Alaska</a>, the availability of these air taxis and airborne summit tours can change. For example, <a href="http://www.alaska.org/detail/era-helicopters-denali" target="_blank">a helicopter tour of Denali</a> runs from May through September, but a trip to Mount Redoubt Volcano on Natron Air can happen <a href="http://www.alaska.org/detail/natron-air-flightseeing" target="_blank">anytime of year</a>.</p><p>In many ways, there’s no such thing as a ‘bad time’ to visit Alaska, but when it comes to gorgeous day hikes, and better weather for flying, the safest bet is to visit sometime between May and September.</p><p>Another important factor to keep in mind is daylight: in certain parts of Alaska during the summer, the sun never sets. Depending on your preferences, this could be either a blessing or a curse. Use <a href="http://www.alaska.org/weather/daylight-hours" target="_blank">a sunrise and sunset planner</a> to help figure out precisely how much (or little) sunlight you’ll be in for during your Alaska adventure.</p><h2>The Cheapest Time to Visit Alaska</h2><p>With the shoulder season primarily stretching from April to May and then again in September, those three months offer the best value for travelers on a budget, particularly if you end up on <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/cruises/alaskan-cruises" target="_blank">an Alaskan cruise</a>. As Princess Cruises’ Lisa Syme told T+L, “I definitely recommend looking at May and September for promotional deals [like] on-board credits that you can use toward the cost of your excursions.”</p><p>As far as hotel rooms go, rates for a long weekend stay in Anchorage start around $100 per night in July — that’s more than double what you’d pay for the same stay earlier in the season (April), or later in the season (September), another example of how a pre- or post-summer visit can be a cost effective way to enjoy this highly underrated, vast wilderness state.</p>

<p>A new startup is here to reward spontaneous travelers who like to plan trips on a whim, as well as procrastinators who tend to purchase their airline tickets just days before their desired departure date.</p><p><a href="https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2018/02/01/uk-start-up-offers-new-way-for-passengers-to-bid-for-unsold-airline-seats/" target="_blank">U.K.-based Air Ticket Arena</a>, an air ticket distribution platform, launched on Feb. 1 to give last-minute fliers the opportunity to place bids for unsold seats.</p><p>To play your hand at booking a budget-friendly ticket, download the <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=atena.ticket.air.airticketarena" target="_blank">Air Ticket Arena mobile app</a> on your phone and register. Once your account is verified, choose your destination, departure/return date, and the number of tickets you'd like to bid on. You will also get to choose which of the participating airlines you’d like to fly with, so long as they have flights scheduled for that day. You can make a bid up to 14 days ahead of your preferred departure date; if you want to book a return ticket, you can place a second bid up to 14 days from departure (e.g. if you are flying on Feb. 22, the latest date you can return is on March 8).</p><p><strong>Related:</strong> <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/flight-deals/how-to-book-cheap-flights-with-third-party-website" target="_blank">How to Not Get Ripped Off When Buying Cheap Flights on Third-party Websites</a></p><p>Once you’ve selected your preferences, you place your bid by entering how much money you are willing to pay for a ticket (the price is in Euros, so don’t forget to convert the currency to U.S. dollars). Twenty-four or 48 hours before the scheduled flight, the airline will decide the amount of unsold seats up for sale and the minimum price they are willing to accept for a bid. If a seat is available for the same or less than the price you chose, the airline will automatically book your flight and an e-ticket will be delivered to you.</p><p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/flight-deals/different-types-cheap-flights-sales-promotions-mistakes" target="_blank">3 Types of Flight Deals That Will Save You a Ton — and How to Spot Them</a></p><img alt="Air Ticket Arena, an Android app "src="http://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1518197269/air-ticket-app-android-2-BIDFLY0218.jpg?itok=2Kd6Qy7-"><p>Fair warning: because the app is new, the bugs and kinks are still being worked out. Signing up for the app is not intuitive, and if there are no available tickets on the date you want to leave, Air Ticket Arena does not offer alternative times or flights. Still, for choosing your own price, the extra time it takes to fiddle with the dates and give in to your wanderlust is worth the effort.</p><p><em>The app is currently <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=atena.ticket.air.airticketarena" target="_blank">available on Google Play</a> and will be available on Apple's App Store this March. There is also a <a href="https://beta.airticketarena.com/#/search-airlines" target="_blank">web-based app</a>, but it is still in beta testing. </em></p>

<p><em>T+L launched Operation Vacation to inspire workers to use their days off and get away, offering exclusive travel discounts as incentive. For the latest deals on hotels, airfare, cruises, and trip packages, visit <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/operation-vacation" target="_blank"><strong>travelandleisure.com/</strong></a></em><em><a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/operation-vacation" target="_blank"><strong>operation-vacation</strong></a></em></p><p>California: 30 percent off <a href="https://www.madronamanor.com" target="_blank">Madrona Manor</a>, an 1881 mansion on wooded grounds, with a Michelin-starred restaurant and elegant rooms with fireplaces and vineyard views.</p><p>Travel + Leisure package includes:</p><p>*30 percent off a guest room</p><p>Original Price: From $260 per night</p><p><strong>T + L Price:</strong> From $182 per night</p><p>Booking details: Use booking code TLMADRONA <a href="http://www.madronamanor.com" target="_blank">when booking online</a> or calling 707-433-4231.</p><p>Availability: Valid through May 31, 2018. A non-refundable deposit of the first night's Room and Tax is due at the time of booking. A two-day advance booking is required. Excludes the weekend of April 27 – 29. Cancellations will result in a loss of the full first night's room and tax deposit.</p>

<p>When Lifetime announced it would soon be making a movie based on the real life <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/prince-harry-meghan-markle-engagement-photos" target="_blank">romance between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry</a> (titled, of course, <em>Harry &amp; Meghan: A Royal Romance</em>) fans everywhere were doubly delighted by the prospect and horrified by what could be terrible, terrible casting.</p><p>After all, Lifetime did not exactly do a great job casting people to play <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/kate-middleton-prince-william-snowball-fight" target="_blank">Prince William and Kate Middleton</a> for their film.</p><p>But as luck would have it, every mom’s favorite network appears to have hit the nail on the head with casting this time — at least with the actor playing Markle.</p><p>According to <a href="http://people.com/royals/meghan-markles-lifetime-movie-casting-choice/" target="_blank"><i>People</i></a>, Parisa Fitz-Henley, best known for her role in the Netflix series "Jessica Jones," is set to play Markle in the film. And we’ve got to hand it to the casting director: Fitz-Henley really could be a body double for Markle. Just take one look at her Instagram and tell us she doesn’t bare <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/meghan-harry-look-like-chip-joanna-gaines" target="_blank">a striking resemblance</a> to the future royal.</p><p>As for Harry, he will be played by Murray Fraser (of the mini-series, "The Loch"), who seems like a totally swell guy, but looks absolutely nothing like Harry.</p><p>Fraser is British, however, so the accent is sure to be spot on.</p><p>Still, there are plenty of reasons to be hopeful about the film, like the incredible team working behind the camera. According to <em><a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/02/meghan-markle-prince-harry-lifetime-movie" target="_blank">Vanity Fair,</a></em> the Lifetime project will be directed by British filmmaker Menhaj Huda. On Twitter, <a href="http://twitter.com/MenhajHuda/status/952787029846147074" target="_blank">Huda said</a> he is “so excited to be helming such an inspirational love story of our time.”</p><p>Moreover, the script is currently being crafted by Scarlett Lacey, who was a one-time executive story editor and staff writer on the drama series, "The Royals<em>."</em></p><p>According to Lifetime, the movie will “examine the history of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from the moment they met after being set up by friends, through their initial courtship when they were able to keep their romance under wraps, and ultimately the intense global media attention surrounding their relationship and [Markle's] life as a divorced American actress.”</p><p>Honestly, it wouldn’t matter if Meghan and Harry were being played by sock puppets, we are still totally planning to tune in when it premieres later this spring.</p>

<p>Remember just a few weeks ago when you made that New Year’s resolution to <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/how-to-get-more-vacation-time" target="_blank">spend more time traveling</a>, working out, eating healthy, or getting organized? How’s that going for you?</p><p>Odds are you may have slipped away from accomplishing these goals. And really, you’re not alone as the second week of February is well-known for being the “<a href="https://www.today.com/health/beware-fitness-cliff-4-ways-stay-motivated-gym-t70151" target="_blank">resolution drop off</a>” point where <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/new-years-resolutions-courses-2016-12" target="_blank">80 percent of resolutions fail</a>. But, if you’re committed to making change this year there are a few tricks you can use to help you succeed.</p><p>First, it’s key to remember that it typically takes people 66 days to form a new habit. Be it keeping a to-do list to stay organized, working on a new fitness routine, or eating more fruits and vegetables, it’s key to give it a go for at least two full months. So really, a lot of this does come down to willpower. But, keep reading to learn a few easy tricks to staying on track with three of the <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-achievable-the-6-most-common-new-years-resolutions-really-are_us_5a43dc86e4b06d1621b68fa4" target="_blank">most common New Year’s resolutions</a> — even if you’re busy traveling the globe (#NoExcuses). If you can keep it up until March 7, you should be in the clear.</p><h2>Be Healthier</h2><p>Your will to work out and eat right doesn't have to take a vacation when you do. There are plenty of ways to stay healthy while traveling around the world.</p><p>“I always pack fruit in my carry-on bag for snacking so I'm not skipping meals, and if there's a layover I look for a restaurant where I can grab a <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/healthy-options-airport-food" target="_blank">healthy meal with fresh vegetables and lean protein</a>,” Gina Homolka, founder of <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/" target="_blank">Skinnytaste.com</a> and author of <em><a data-ecommerce="true" href="https://www.amazon.com/Skinnytaste-Cookbook-Light-Calories-Flavor/dp/0385345623/" target="_blank">The Skinnytaste Cookbook</a></em>, told <em>Travel + Leisure</em>.</p><p>Homolka wasn’t the only expert to give us her advice for staying healthy no matter where you are.</p><p>“Bring a miniband—I like <a href="http://www.performbetter.com/First-Place-Mini-Band" target="_blank">Perform Better</a> or <a href="https://markbellslingshot.com/collections/hip-circles" target="_blank">Hip Circle</a>—and even if you don't have access to a gym, do some band exercises in your hotel room,” Sohee Lee, C.S.C.S., founder of <a href="http://www.soheefit.com/" target="_blank">SoheeFit</a> said. “All you need is 5-10 minutes a day. I like seated band hip abductions, lateral walks, and monster walks. Do 2-3 sets of 10-30 reps each to keep the glutes activated.”</p><p>Or try downloading a new fitness app that you can use anywhere you are. New <a href="https://www.sweatworking.com/" target="_blank">"social fitness" app SweatWorking</a>, from Jeana Anderson Cohen, CEO and founder of <a href="https://asweatlife.com/" target="_blank">aSweatLife</a>, motivates its users to take on fitness challenges by letting them complete custom workouts from top trainers remotely (through audio, video, and image-based classes) and encouraging friends to hold each other accountable, wherever they are. </p><h2>Get Organized</h2><p>This is perhaps the easiest goal to achieve while traveling in 2018. Getting and staying organized for travel can actually be really fun, and mostly includes purchasing a nifty product or two.</p><p>Perhaps the easiest way to get organized is simply by <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/packing-tips/best-packing-cubes-for-travel" target="_blank">buying packing cubes</a>. This genius invention allows travelers to compartmentalize their belongings so they stack easily and efficiently in a suitcase. Then, upon arrival, they can unpack just as quickly.</p><p>And if you’re really looking to up your game, invest in a <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/style/travel-bags/organized-carry-on-suitcase" target="_blank">suitcase that transforms into a dresser</a>. Seriously.</p><p>The carry-on bag by Züca is tailor-made for those looking to stay organized on short trips that only require a small bag. But, once they arrive, users can unzip the bag and open the compartments like drawers to keep all of their items exactly where they belong.</p><p>Of course these aren’t the only gizmos and gadgets that will help you stay extremely organized. Check out T+L's <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/best-travel-accessories" target="_blank">complete list of travel and organizational accessories here</a>.</p><h2>Travel More</h2><p>OK, so you’re on track to stay healthy and you’ve become super organized, now there’s just one more resolution to tackle: actually traveling more.</p><p>This one is the hardest of the three to accomplish as it takes the most work from you. To start, you need to be taking more vacation days. And if you’re American, you likely have plenty of unused time off just sitting around waiting for you. In fact, according to a 2017 <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/travel-trends/americans-cant-even-vacation" target="_blank">survey conducted by Allianz Travel Insurance</a>, 170 million Americans reported going a full year without taking a single day of vacation. <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/travel-resolutions-for-2017" target="_blank">You earned them, so use them</a>.</p><p>The best way to do so is to map out a year-long plan. Decide whether you want to do a bunch of mini, long-weekend vacations for three to four days at a time, or if you want to splurge on one grand adventure across the globe.</p><p>Next, make sure to plan a budget for said trips. Saving up doesn’t have to be hard, just <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/budgeting-currency/spend-less-travel-more" target="_blank">follow our advice here</a>. Finally, just get up and go. <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/solo-travel" target="_blank">Go solo</a>, as <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/group-travel" target="_blank">a group</a>, as <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/family-vacations" target="_blank">a family</a>, whatever. Just go.</p><p>If you need a little more inspiration on where to go in 2018, <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/best-places-to-travel-in-2018" target="_blank">here’s a list of 50 amazing choices</a>. No matter what you resolve to do this year, just commit. You can thank us for it on Dec. 31.</p>

<p>Just days after <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/winter-storm-liam-path" target="_blank">Winter Storm Liam</a> led to frigid conditions and thousands of flight delays and cancellations, another snowstorm is making its way across <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/top-north-america-destinations" target="_blank">North America</a>. </p><p>The snowstorm, which will bring a combination of ice, snow, and freezing rain throughout several states and the Great Lakes, is already leaving various states to deal with inclement weather and dangerous commutes.</p><p>As of Friday morning, one person (whose identity was withheld) has been found dead following a multi-vehicle pileup involving at least half a dozen vehicles in Michigan, according to <a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2018/02/one_dead_in_us_23_pileup_near.html" target="_blank">MLive.com</a>.</p><p>Inches of snowfall is leading to school closures across the Midwest, and officials in some of the affected states are urging residents to avoid traveling due to snow-covered roads.</p><p>So far, Winter Storm Mateo has already brought in up to seven inches of snow in Chicago, up to six inches in Milwaukee, up to four inches in Detroit, and up to 13 inches in areas like Havre, Montana, according to the <a href="https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/2018-02-07-winter-storm-mateo-snow-forecast-rockies-midwest-northeast" target="_blank">Weather Channel’s latest forecast</a>.</p><p>Meanwhile, the storm is also trickling snow into the Great Lakes at rates of an inch per hour.</p><p>Several of the states expecting the heaviest snowfall are currently issuing storm warnings, including in Ohio, Michigan, Northern Indiana, Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin, and Eastern Iowa, and <a href="https://flightaware.com/live/cancelled/today" target="_blank">thousands of flights</a> have been canceled.</p><p><a href="https://www.flyfrontier.com/alert/" target="_blank">Frontier Airlines</a>, <a href="https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/advisories/great-lakes-region.html" target="_blank">Delta</a>, <a href="https://www.aircanada.com/us/en/aco/home/fly/flight-information/daily-travel-outlook.html" target="_blank">Air Canada</a>, <a href="https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/travel/news/Pages/travelnotices.aspx?utm_source=t.co&amp;utm_medium=referral#ExceptionPolicies" target="_blank">United Airlines</a>, <a href="https://www.southwest.com/html/advisories/swa_travel_advisory_2018171518052449128.html" target="_blank">Southwest Airlines</a>, <a href="https://www.jetblue.com/JetblueAlerts/WeatherUpdate.aspx" target="_blank">JetBlue</a>, and <a href="https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/travel-alerts.jsp" target="_blank">American Airlines</a> are offering flight change waivers for affected passengers.</p><p>The storm is expected to continue bringing snow into Northern Pennsylvania, Upstate New York, Eastern Iowa, the Northern Rockies, Montana, Wyoming, Western South Dakota, and Nebraska throughout Friday night, making for tricky Saturday morning commutes in Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland, and Buffalo, according to the Weather Channel's forecast.</p><img alt=" "src=""><p>Saturday will bring snow to Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Upstate New York, with the potential for rain in Oklahoma, while snowy conditions will remain in Arkansas and Tennessee throughout Sunday. Boston, Washington D.C., and Upsate New York can expect rainy conditions going into Sunday.</p>

<p>While we’d love to say the idea that many Americans are terrible travelers is a fallacy, we can’t, because time and time again this theory is proven to be true.</p><p>Seriously, undoing Americans' traveling reputation will be an uphill battle thanks to our <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/obnoxious-tourist-behavior" target="_blank">less than stellar behavior abroad</a>. Don’t believe us? Consider the fact that 64 percent of Americans admitted to urinating in public pools in a 2016 survey, while 69 percent admitted to stealing extra hotel toiletries and 13 percent admitted to <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/american-travelers-are-the-worst-behaved-in-the-world-2015-06-14" target="_blank">skipping out on a bill</a>.</p><p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/expats-tips-for-moving-abroad" target="_blank">The One Thing You Absolutely Need to Do to Move Abroad, According to Expats</a></p><p>Yeah, we are bad. Really, really bad. Keep scrolling for a few more horror stories of Americans abroad.</p><h2>Steven Cho, arrested in Thailand for throwing feces at airport staff</h2><p>In a recent example of American tourists behaving badly, Steven Cho, a man from New York, was arrested on Jan. 8 after he allegedly stripped down to his birthday suit, began screaming at the staff at Phuket International Airport, and even threw his feces at them. According to the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5245839/Tourist-arrested-throwing-feces-Phuket-airport-staff.html" target="_blank"><em>Daily Mail</em></a>, Cho told local authorities he had “taken too many sex drugs,” which included Viagra, before the incident. Cho apologized for the incident and agreed to pay damages.</p><h2>Unidentified couple, arrested in Italy for carving their names into Rome’s Colosseum</h2><p>Just file this under “reasons we can’t have nice things.” In 2015, two unidentified American women from California were arrested in Rome after they allegedly carved their initials into the city’s Colosseum. The women were caught red-handed by staff as they took a selfie right next to their crime scene.</p><p>“There’s a difference in perception. Museums are treated like churches, sacred places where there are things of great value. Whereas the Colosseum is an incomplete building which has already been robbed,” a spokesman for the Special Superintendency for the Archaeological Heritage of Rome told the <em><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/08/us-tourists-caught-carving-names-into-colosseum-rome" target="_blank">Guardian</a></em> at the time. The women were both fined for “aggravated damage.”</p><h2>Louis DiNatale, arrested in Canada for gun smuggling</h2><p>Louis DiNatale swears he didn’t know he had a gun on him when he attempted to cross the border into Canada. However, it didn’t matter, because he was arrested for gun smuggling anyway.</p><p>"I told him I was retired military, I had respect for weapons, and I had a concealed carry license to do so," DiNatale <a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-canada-border-guns-20140203-story.html" target="_blank">said in a statement</a> about his 2014 conversation with Canadian Border Patrol. However, when the patrol officer searched his car, he found the weapon in the center console. In total, DiNatale spent four days in a Canadian jail before he could post bail and go home. Not so surprisingly, DiNatale isn’t the only American tourist to ever be <a href="http://blog.timesunion.com/pilotgirl/american-tourist-is-released-from-jamaican-jail/7714/" target="_blank">arrested for carrying guns outside the country.</a> So next time you travel, make sure to leave your firearms at home.</p><h2>Marian O., arrested in Spain for disobeying authority</h2><p>Someone really needs to teach Marian O. a lesson or two on manners. According to the <em><a href="http://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2017/08/06/american-tourist-arrested-for-rant-at-palma-cathedral-attendant-who-spoke-no-english/" target="_blank">Olive Press</a></em>, an American woman only identified by her first name and last initial was arrested in Spain in August after she allegedly verbally assaulted a ticket seller at the Palma Cathedral for not being able to speak English. She then attempted to re-enter the cathedral, but was denied.</p><h2>Joseph Dasilva and Travis Dasilva, arrested in Thailand for mooning a Buddhist statue</h2><p>In December, both Joseph Dasilva and Travis Dasilva, two grown men from the United States, apparently thought it would be appropriate to take off their pants and moon a sacred religious statue in Thailand. Before leaving the country, the pair was arrested and fined for indecent exposure.</p><p>“Once they are through with the charges, the Thai immigration police will revoke their visas and push for deportation,” the deputy spokesman of the Thai immigration police, Col. Choengron Rimpadee, told <a href="http://fortune.com/2017/12/01/2-american-tourists-are-in-big-trouble-for-taking-a-butt-selfie-at-a-thai-temple/" target="_blank">BBC</a>. “They will also be blacklisted from coming back to Thailand.”</p><p>Just in case it’s somehow unclear what is appropriate behavior, the U.S. Department of State’s <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/arrest-detention.html" target="_blank">Bureau of Consular Affairs</a> has a few tips for you. On its site it lists the following tips to avoid being arrested in a foreign country:</p>Understand that you are subject to the local laws and regulations while visiting or living in the country – follow them.Learn which laws might be different from the laws in the United States. We provide some information for each country on our Country Specific pages. For further information on laws within the foreign country before you go, contact that country’s nearest embassy or consulate within the United States.<p>And if you are arrested, the department says you should immediately “ask the prison authorities to notify the U.S. embassy or consulate.” And maybe just say you’re sorry.</p>

<p>Authorities are looking for a woman who may have given birth and then abandoned the child in a <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/tucson" target="_blank">Tucson</a> International Airport with a note.</p><p>The baby was left on a <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/style/travel-bags/la-multi-suitcase-for-traveling-with-baby" target="_blank">changing table</a> in one of the airport’s changing rooms with a note reading, “Please help me. My mom had no idea she was pregnant. She is unable and unfit to take care of me. Please get me to the authorities so they can find a good home. I just want what is best for him and it is not me. Please. I’m sorry.”</p><p>Authorities say the woman can be seen on airport security footage walking “with a gait” and carrying something wrapped in a blanket, <a href="http://abc7.com/newborn-found-abandoned-in-arizona-airport-bathroom/3056259/" target="_blank">according to ABC affiliate KABC</a>.</p><p>The incident occurred on Jan. 14, but authorities released the footage this week hoping to find the woman, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/mother-birth-abandons-baby-airport-bathroom-handwritten-note/story?id=52955414" target="_blank">according to ABC.</a></p><p>The child was found healthy and in good condition, but airport officials found bloody clothes in an airport bathroom they believe belonged to the woman, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/02/07/a-woman-may-have-given-birth-in-an-airport-bathroom-and-left-the-baby-behind-police-say/?utm_term=.87c87e2248d5" target="_blank">according to the Washington <em>Post</em></a>. Authorities believe <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/airlines-airports/baby-born-on-spirit-airlines-flight" target="_blank">she may have given birth</a> in the airport.</p><p>Arizona is a safe haven state, which means there are drop-off locations for new mothers to leave newborns they feel unable to care for without legal repercussions. Airports, however, are not included.</p><p> </p>

<p>Montana wildlife officials <a href="https://apnews.com/eaba78147fff410798c147d80862c3ae" target="_blank">announced Thursday</a> that they would recommend against hosting a grizzly bear hunt near <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/best-time-to-visit-yellowstone" target="_blank">Yellowstone National Park</a>, but the door is still open to future hunts.</p><p>An area near <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/national-parks/yellowstone-national-park-guide" target="_blank">Yellowstone</a> shared by Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho would be the potential hunting site for the formerly endangered animal. Wyoming Game and Fish Department asked permission to begin drafting hunting regulations in January, <a href="http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/this_just_in/wyoming-is-pursuing-grizzly-hunt/article_0ff5325b-7dfc-5b02-957c-6e0f714d2a2e.html" target="_blank">Jackson Hole News &amp; Guide reported</a>.</p><p>“We are dang sure supportive of hunting them,” Jeff Smith, the president of Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association, told <em>Jackson Hole News &amp;Guide</em>. “Because we hunt everything else in Wyoming.”</p><p>The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/yellowstone-digital-online-passes" target="_blank">Yellowstone</a> grizzly bears off the endangered list in June 2017 after 42 years of federal protection. The population of grizzlies in or near Yellowstone had grown from less than 150 in the mid-1970s to 690 in 2017, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/bearesa.htm" target="_blank">according to the National Park Service</a>.</p><p>The change did not affect the protected status of other groups of grizzlies in 48 states, though their status could soon change as well, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/22/science/yellowstone-grizzly-bear-endangered-species-list.html" target="_blank"><em>The New York Times</em> reported</a> at the time.</p><p>Now that Yellowstone's grizzlies are not protected by the federal government, their population management falls to the three neighboring states' discretion, paving the way for hunting as soon as this fall. The hunting would take place outside of the park itself but would affect the grizzlies who make their home in the park and its surrounding area.</p><p>Debate has raged over the question of hunting grizzlies, with some saying the the grizzly population will need to be managed with hunting in the same way that other large carnivores have required. Trophy hunting is a concern, however, particularly for animal rights' groups.</p><p><a href="https://www.thepetitionsite.com/978/481/835/dont-murder-grizzlies-%E2%80%93-demand-wyoming-abandon-plans-for-trophy-hunt/" target="_blank">A petition</a> against the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission's hunting proposal garnered more than 215,000 signatures.</p>

<p>When Belen Aldecosea was flying home to South Florida for a holiday break, she was hoping to bring her pet hamster, Pebbles, along with her. Unfortunately, she says that information she received from <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/airlines-airports/spirit-airlines-baggage-fees" target="_blank">Spirit Airlines</a> lead her to flush her pet down an airport toilet in order to get home.</p><p>Spirit Airlines, meanwhile, denies that any agent would suggest this option to Aldecosea, or any guest.</p><p>Aldecosea was traveling home after a semester at Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article198971069.html" target="_blank">the <em>Miami Herald</em> reported</a>. Before booking her Spirit flight from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport to Fort Lauderdale, she says she confirmed with a Spirit agent, twice, that she was able to bring Pebbles along.</p><p><strong>Related:</strong> <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/united-airlines-denies-boarding-emotional-support-peacock" target="_blank">United Airlines Forced Emotional Support Peacock to Give Up Its Seat</a></p><p>When Aldecosea checked in at the Baltimore airport, she had no problems with carrying Pebbles — who was not only a pet, according to Aldecosea, but also an emotional support animal, verified by a letter from her doctor.</p><p>However, when she proceeded to the security checkpoint, she says she was stopped by a Spirit agent who told her she couldn’t bring her hamster, even though it had been previously confirmed as permissible. A Spirit Airlines spokesperson confirmed to <em>Travel + Leisure</em> that there was a miscommunication from the agents who spoke to Aldecosea, saying, “our reservation representative, unfortunately, did misinform the guest that a hamster was permitted to fly as an emotional support animal on Spirit Airlines.”</p><p>Aldecosea took a later flight to deal with the issue, but she was told that Pebbles couldn’t be taken into cargo and she didn’t have any friends or family in Baltimore who could take her at a moment’s notice. There were also, according to Aldecosea, no rental cars or buses, and she spent hours trying to solve the problem.</p><p>She claims, at this point, an airline agent suggested setting Pebbles free outside, or to flush her down the toilet. “I didn’t have any other options,” Aldecosea <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article198971069.html" target="_blank">told the <em>Miami Herald</em></a>.</p><p>“[Pebbles] was scared. I was scared. It was horrifying trying to put her in the toilet,” Aldecosea said. “I was emotional. I was crying. I sat there for a good 10 minutes crying in the stall.”</p><p>Spirit Airlines, however, denies any agent would suggest this option to any passenger. “After researching this incident, we can say confidently that at no point did any of our agents suggest this Guest (or any other for that matter) should flush or otherwise injure an animal,” a Spirit Airlines spokesperson told T+L.</p><p>Emotional support animals have been in the news lately — including a <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/united-adds-restrictions-to-animal-support-policy" target="_blank">headline-making peacock</a> — and airlines have been cracking down as more passengers claim pets as medically necessary. (Emotional support animals, however, are different from service animals and do not have specific training.)</p><p>In the end, Aldecosea said she felt she was doing the right thing by ending her hamster’s life quickly rather than let her run around in the cold or let her get hit by a vehicle. She said she is now considering filing a lawsuit against Spirit Airlines over the alleged misinformation that she felt pressured her into making her decision, according to the <em>Miami Herald</em>.</p>

<p>An Alaska Airlines flight from Anchorage to Seattle had to turn back around after a passenger locked himself in the bathroom and took off all his clothing.</p><p>The flight <a href="https://flightaware.com/live/flight/ASA146/history/20180207/1025Z/PANC/PANC" target="_blank">took off from Anchorage at 1:21 a.m. on Wednesday morning</a> and returned back to the airport one hour and 20 minutes later. A spokesperson for the airline said the plane turned around because of “a passenger not following flight attendants' instructions."</p><p>"While no emergency was declared, pilots made the decision to return to Anchorage," the spokesperson <a href="http://www.ktva.com/story/37451580/naked-passenger-sends-alaska-airlines-flight-back-to-anchorage" target="_blank">told local news channel KTVA</a>. "Flight 146 arrived at Anchorage International around 2:45 a.m. and was met by law enforcement officers at the gate. The passenger was escorted off the flight by officers."</p><p><strong>Related:</strong> <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/airlines-airports/las-vegas-airport/spirit-airlines-naked-passenger" target="_blank">Naked Passenger Causes Delay on Spirit Airlines Flight</a></p><p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/airlines-airports/flight-attedants-crazy-things-seenhttp://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/airlines-airports/flight-attedants-crazy-things-seen" target="_blank">Flight Attendants Share The Craziest Things They've Seen Mid-Air</a></p><p>One passenger on the flight, Kate Danyluk, <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/naked-passenger-forces-plane-back-to-anchorage/" target="_blank">told Associated Press</a> that police took the man out of the plane’s back door. Several other men stood nearby to shield the naked man from the view of other passengers. Danyluk said she heard “he had taken off his clothes and he just wasn’t in his right mind.”</p><p>While it’s unclear whether or not the man was arrested, the airline did not press charges.</p><p>The plane, which was carrying 178 passengers, took off for a second time at 6:30 a.m. It arrived in Seattle at 10:44 a.m., about five hours after schedule.</p>